Rate of Diabetes and Diabetic Amputations Rise

Dr. Richard Jacoby is understandably pleased to be able to say that he has never had to perform a diabetic amputation. Diabetic amputation is an operation that has of necessity become more common as more people are ending up with diabetes.

The diabetic population is also aging and this contributes to the increase in the need for diabetic amputation. Treatment of diabetes and diabetic amputations now costs almost three billion dollars a year in the U.S.

"Dr. Richard Jacoby, D.P.M., graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine. He completed his residency at Parkview Hospital, Philadelphia, specializing in foot and ankle surgery. Board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Foot and Ankle Surgeons, he is currently president of Valley Foot Surgeons in Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition, Dr. Jacoby is chairman of the board of Healthcare Networks of America.

Unfortunately, the numbers go up every year. There's more that can be done to bring these numbers down. For information on diabetes and limb loss, amputation, prosthetics, and the ACA Peer Visitor program, please contact the nonprofit organization Amputee Coalition of America at 888/267-5669 or visit them at Amputee-Coalition.org.

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